Mesenchymal stem cells reside in a vascular niche in the decidua basalis and are absent in remodelled spiral arterioles. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kusuma, G.D.; Manuelpillai, U.; Abumaree, M.H.; Pertile, M.D.; Brennecke, S.P.; Kalionis, B.
• Is Part Of: Placenta. Volume 36:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 312
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Placenta -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; 612.63
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.12.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4004

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Introduction</title> <p id="abspara0010">Maternal <italic>decidua basalis</italic> tissue attached to the placenta following delivery is a source of decidual mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs). The <italic>in vitro</italic> characteristics of DMSCs have been partly defined but their <italic>in vivo</italic> function(s) are poorly understood. The anatomic location, or niche, provides clues regarding potential <italic>in vivo</italic> function(s) of DMSCs, but the niche has not been described.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Methods</title> <p id="abspara0015">Cells were isolated from the <italic>decidua basalis</italic> and flow cytometric analyses showed the expected phenotypic profile for MSC cell surface markers. <italic>In vitro</italic>, the cells differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. DMSCs were then stained with antibodies by immunofluorescence detection.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Results</title> <p id="abspara0020">Immunocytochemistry revealed that DMSCs were positive for FZD-9, STRO-1, 3G5, and α-SMA as expected and lacked expression of vWF and Ck7. Fluorescence <italic>in situ</italic> hybridization analysis showed the cultured cells were of maternal origin. Immunofluorescence was carried out on placental bed biopsies using the FZD-9, STRO-1, 3G5, and α-SMA antibodies. DMSCs were located in the vascular niche in <italic>decidua basalis</italic>. Immunofluorescence with antibodies to FZD-9, Ck7 and vWF revealed DMSCs in the vascular niche surrounding intact non-transformed spiral arterioles but DMSCs were absent in fully transformed spiral arterioles.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0030">Discussion</title> <p id="abspara0025">Spiral arteriole remodelling is a critical feature of human pregnancy. The DMSC niche was investigated in fully transformed and non-transformed spiral arterioles. DMSCs have not been previously implicated in spiral arteriole remodelling. The absence of DMSCs around fully transformed spiral arterioles suggests they are a target for replacement or destruction by invading placental extravillous trophoblast cells, which carry out spiral arteriole remodelling.</p> </sec> </abstract>